The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-07


but was popular with both students and faculty.
his never-faiing high spirits making him
merry companion at all times. This popularity
of temperament prevented him from taking
first rank as a religious man, and has, 1t may De
added initiated against him since in the minds
of the many to whom religion is thing or
solemnity and sanctimoniousness. He was very
fond of the English classics, and especially of
the old English poets. The only poem he ever
committed to memory, he once told friend,
written by obscure contemporary OF
Shakespeare. The last stanza of this poem read
follows:
HE that endures for what his conscience knows
Not TO be i'll, doth from a patience high
Look on the only whereto he owes
Those sufferings, not on his misery;
The more he endures the more his glory grows
Which never grows from imbecility;
Only the best composed and worthiesu hearts
God sets to act the hardest and constansst parts"
During his two last college years Mr. Beecher
taught country schools during the long winter
vacations, and thus raised the funds with which
be laid the foundation of that peculiar library
which his tastes caused him to accumulate. He
also engaged in religious work. delivered tenn
perance lectures and joined in the controversy
concerning slavery, in which, from the start, he
took position as an Aboitionist
After his graduation, in 1884. Mr.. Beecher
joined his father in Cincinnati, to which place
the latter had removed two years previously.
There, in Lane Seminary, was raging theolog-
cal battle between the Calvinistic forces and the
advancing rationaiism of the New England
school. Henry Ward was devoted to his father,
but without taking any active part in this
troversy found himself so greatly influenced by
the arguments of the opposition that he felt
many theological doubts; and during these
periods of mental conflict he seriously contem-
plated going into another profession, his
brother who had studied with him, actually did
do at this time.
However. out of regard for his father, he did
not do so, but as result of his reflections formu
lated creed which, to his mind, reconciled the
NhrtS NIT xyfeh Of
church to which he attached to a degree
which enabled him to retain the theological
bonds. This creed has been modified and
changed somewhat as he advanced in life andits
liberalitv has occasioned much criticism, but the
points wherein he differed from the strictly
orthodox and Calvinistic brethren can be speci
fled only by the theologans.
HIS MINISTERIAL CAREER.
lie finished theological course at Lane Sem
mary, after which he married and Immediately
accepted call, the first that came to Lawrence
burg, Ind. He had preached in that town but
a short time when he was invited to Indianapo-
lis, where he abored for eight years. While
here he lived a life of much simplicity, the
salary paid by the then struggling church being
insufficient for more pretentious style of llv-
ing. During this period he preached twice on
Sunday, held at least five other services a week,
and, by consent of his flock, engaged In mission
| airy service through the State for portion of
each year. His great social talent made him
very popular, and his play of humor in his dis
course sdrew many to hear him who conld not
have been reached by the usual style of exhorta-
ton. During the third year of his ministry in
Indianapolis a great revival of religion occurred
in Terre Haute, as partial result, at least, of
| his labors This was followed by revivals in
other parts Of the State, and for
many months he was increasingly
active A member of his church in
Indianapolis says that in the spring of 1912
markable revival began, in which the whole
town was pervaded by the influence of religion,
and which continued for many weeks. During
its progress the pastor is remembered as
"plungIng through the wet Streets his trousers
! stuffed in mis- muddy bootlegs, earnest untiring,
swift, with merry heart, glowing face and
helpful word for everyone; the whole day preach
lug Christ to the people where he could find
them, and at night preaching still
S where o the people people were sure to lind find
| to the church at this time. Early in the
| following year the church had large accessions,
| as it also had in 1S45 There was continuous
| growth in the membership, in fact until the
pastor resigned, in 1847 to accept a call to the
| Plymouth Congregational Church in Brooklyn,
n. Y.
Mr.. Beecher formed strong and warm friend
ships during his pastorate in Indianapolis, and
has always since taken great in terest in the place
| and the people. 1t was IT. this city that he first
began that war upon slavery which he after
wards waged relentessly. There was
|
! ing the subject into pulpit discussions, but Mr..
| Beecher had sympathy with this sentiment.
and deity brought up the matter without pre-
| vious announcement of his Intention by preach
| ing three sermons on the life of Moses and the
bondage of the children of Israel. Under this
| cover he gained the of the people and pres
| entity surprised them, attacking the system OF
| American slavery.
principles of free speech, and during the excite
| ment aroused by the passage of the fugitive
slave law labored for the cause of the oppressed
| with great energy. When the battle for the
| settlement of Kansas going on and the
East sending out colonies, Mr.. Beecher ad-
vocated the necessity of their going armed, and
a subscription was raised in Plymouth Church
to supply every family with a Bible and rifle.
This raised great outcrv, of course, but not
| many years later churches which had risen in
protest at these rifles were aiding to equip
| soldiers and prepare munitions of war During
the Mr.. Beecher's labors were incessant
Plymouth Church took charge of raising and
eeuipping one regiment, the First Long Island,
and many of its young men went out in it. AT
this time Mr.. Beecher took the editorship of the
| New York Independent, wishing this opportu-
nifty to give his views wider publicity. He was
in constant communication with Washington,
and intimate terms with the Secretary of
War. for whose wonderful efficiency he had the
greatest admiration. His multiplied labors and the
burdens of the on his spirit broke down his
health. His voice began to fail and he went to
Europe for a temporary respite from work.
Here occurred one of the most remarkable
events in his career. On his first arrival in
England he was importuned to lecture, but hav
ing gone for relaxation, he declined to do SO. Or
his return to London from Paris, after few
weeks during which he had heard of the battle
of Gettysburg and the capture OF
Vicksburg he recognized the fac
that he had the opportunity to plead
the cause of his country before the
world, ard to expose the true character OF TIT
. sSouthern Confederacy. A series Of engage
ments for him to speak formed
; and he opened in Manchester to al
) audience of 5000 people. The Confederacy'
) emissares had made every preparation t.
excite popular tumult, and prevent his bein
heard but notwithstanding the and fury
I he md said n cnndamnatinr